One of my all-time favorite events to watch in the Winter Olympics is the Figure Skating event. As we look to the upcoming Winter Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea, I was most excited to watch Gracie Gold go for gold once again.
In the 2014 Winter Games, we watched Gold help Team USA win the bronze medal. In the 2012 World Junior Championships, Gold won a silver medal in the Ladies’ Singles Event.
Unfortunately, over the past couple of days, Gold has had to pull out of the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating, a series of events across the globe in preparation of the Winter Games.
The Grand Prix events aren’t the only deciding factors into the scores for competing in the Winter Games, but they weigh heavily on the outcome.
Gold stated in an interview with NBC, “I am currently in treatment for depression, anxiety and an eating disorder. I will not have adequate training time to prepare and compete at the level that I want to.”
Eating disorders harm hundreds of athletes, and even more non-athletes. If you are struggling with anorexia or bulimia, it is important to understand where you can get help.
The first step to recovery is reaching out for help. More ways to get help can be found in this article from Help Guide: Eating Disorder Treatment and Recovery.
We wish Gracie Gold and any other athletes struggling with eating disorders or depression a speedy recovery.